Marathon Packing List

A common question I have received recently is whether the Chicago Marathon will be my first 26.2 mile race. The answer is no. It’s my second after the Kentucky Derby Festival Marathon in Louisville in 2015. I signed up for the race in January 2015 when I lived in Phoenix, and the plan was to spend a week in Louisville to visit family. Two months later, Graham and I made the decision to move to Chicago for his new job. Luckily Louisville is only a 5-hour drive from Chicago, so the marathon trip was not too long and difficult. In addition to being my first marathon, the Kentucky Derby marathon was also the first race I traveled for. I am so glad I made a packing list before I left for my first marathon, because the whole trip was a whirlwind. For my fellow runners, I’m attaching a marathon packing list of items you might want or need on your trip! Leave me any feedback in the comments about what you would add. This is meant for weekend or day trips for a race.

What to pack for a marathon trip:

Your running outfit with backup options. I would suggest both long- and short-sleeve shirts, shorts and long tights, short and long socks, compression socks, comfortable extra underwear, sports bras and anything else you like to wear to run. Be sure to test your clothing during training.

Energy gels, chews or whatever else you like to use.

Massage roller stick or foam roller.

Armband, fanny pack, Flipbelt or other carrying pack. Plus your earbuds if you are wearing them!

I hope this list makes packing for your race much easier. I typically put every item on the bed and then check each off as I put it in my bag. If it won’t be traveling in my bag, I place the item directly next to it so I can grab everything and head out the door.